Vanda plant named ‘SPCDW1608’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of Vanda plant named ‘SPCDW1608’ which is characterized by numerous large flowers borne on a tall inflorescence, flowers with light pink petals and sepals which are heavily dotted and blotched with dark red-purple, a labellum with a dark red-purple central lobe and light pink lateral lobes which are radially striped purple, and the stability of these characteristics from generation to generation.

Latin name of the genus and species: The Latin name of the genus and species of the novel variety disclosed herein is Vanda spp. Jones ex R. Br.

Variety denomination: The inventive variety of Vanda disclosed herein has been given the variety denomination ‘SPCDW1608’.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to the Community Plant Variety Rights application number 2016/2333, filed Sep. 27, 2016, which is herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Parentage: The Vanda variety ‘SPCDW1608’ is the result of a planned breeding program. The new variety originated as a seedling from the crossing of Vanda ‘M38BP’ (not patented), the seed parent, with Vanda ‘M409’ (not patented), the pollen parent. Both parents were developed by, and are owned by, the inventor and were never commercially released. The crossing was made by the inventor in his research greenhouse in Bangphra, Thailand in December of 2004.

The new variety was first selected in May of 2008, in a research greenhouse in Bangphra, Thailand belonging to the inventor. After identifying the new variety as a potentially interesting selection, the inventor continued confidential testing and propagation of ‘SPCDW1608’, assessing stability of the unique characteristics of this variety.

Asexual Reproduction: Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘SPCDW1608’, by way of mericloning, was first initiated in August of 2010 at a commercial laboratory belonging to the inventor in Bangphra, Thailand. Access to all plants was restricted, as plants were kept in a greenhouse not open to the public, and tissue culture plantlets were in a laboratory belonging to the inventor, and not accessible to the public. Through six subsequent generations, the unique features of this cultivar have proven to be stable and true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘SPCDW1608’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype. The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘SPCDW1608’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘SPCDW1608’ as a new and distinct Vanda cultivar:

-   -   1. Vanda ‘SPCDW1608’ exhibits numerous large flowers borne on a         tall inflorescence; and     -   2. Vanda ‘SPCDW1608’ exhibits flowers with light pink petals and         a light pink dorsal sepal, all of which are heavily dotted with         dark red-purple; and     -   3. Vanda ‘SPCDW1608’ exhibits light pink lateral sepals which         are all densely dotted and blotched with dark red-purple; and     -   4. Vanda ‘SPCDW1608’ exhibits a labellum with a dark red-purple         central lobe, and light pink lateral lobes which are radially         striped purple.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, an exemplary plant of ‘SPCDW1608’ grown in a commercial greenhouse in Honselersdijk, the Netherlands. This plant is approximately 6 years old from the time of mericloning, shown planted in an 8 by 8 cm container.

FIG. 2 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, the typical foliage of ‘SPCDW1608’.

FIG. 3 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, the typical inflorescence of ‘SPCDW1608’.

FIG. 4 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, the typical flower of ‘SPCDW1608’.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following observations and measurements made in September of 2017 describe averages from a sample set of six specimens of six year-old ‘SPCDW1608’ plants grown in a greenhouse in Honselersdijk, the Netherlands. Temperatures were approximately 23 degrees Celsius during the day and 19 degrees Celsius at night. No photoperiodic or chemical treatments were given to the plants. No artificial light was given to the plants.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristics will vary with older or, conversely, with younger plants. ‘SPCDW1608’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Where dimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is to be understood that such characteristics are approximations or averages set forth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety may differ from the descriptions set forth herein with variations in environmental, climatic and cultural conditions. Color notations are based on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, The Royal Horticultural Society, London, 2015 (sixth edition).

A botanical description of ‘SPCDW1608’ and comparisons with the parents and most similar commercial variety of Vanda are provided below.

-   Plant description:     -   -   Growth habit.—Perennial; monopodial, upright. Single             monopodial leafy stem, with flowers carried slightly above             the leaf plane; inflorescences growing from the leaf axils.         -   Average height from base (plant grown in hanging basket, so             no soil line present) to foliar plane.—46.6 cm.         -   Average height from base (plant grown in hanging basket, so             no soil line present) to top of floral plane.—59.9 cm.         -   Plant spread.—Average of 42.8 cm.         -   Appropriate container size.—8 cm by 8 cm rectangular hanging             basket.         -   Growth rate.—Moderate.         -   Plant vigor.—Moderate.         -   Propagation type.—Meristematic tissue culture propagation             using the base of the leaves.         -   Propagation details.—The time needed from for the start of a             mericlone to get the small plants ready for deflasking is             approximately 24 months under a controlled temperature of             about 26 degrees Celsius. After that period, plants have             matured roots. Plants start to make roots in the last 6             months in flasks. After deflasking they remain in a shaded             and controlled environment.         -   Disease and pest resistance or susceptibility.—Plants have             not been observed to be susceptible or resistant to             pathogens and pests common to Vanda.         -   Environmental tolerances.—Adapt to, at least, USDA Zones 11             and 12 and temperatures as high as 40 degrees Celsius; high             tolerance to rain; moderate to high tolerance to wind. -   Root system:     -   -   General.—Moderately dense rooting; with aerial roots only.         -   Dimensions, mature roots.—67.1 cm long with a diameter of             0.5 cm, on average.         -   Texture.—Very fleshy; non-fibrous.         -   Color.—Greyed-green, nearest to a combination of RHS 192C             and 192D; root apex is yellow-green, RHS 148A. -   Stem:     -   -   Branching habit.—Monopodial; no lateral branches present.         -   Number of primary (main) stems per plant.—One.         -   Number of secondary (lateral) branches per plant.—None.         -   Appearance and shape.—Circular, formed by the leaf sheaths.         -   Length.—27.5 cm.         -   Diameter.—1.0 cm.         -   Internode length.—1.1 cm.         -   Luster.—Matte.         -   Aspect, main stem.—Near vertical.         -   Strength.—Very strong.         -   Color, juvenile.—Yellow-green, nearest to a combination of             RHS 145C and 145D.         -   Color, mature.—Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 145C.         -   Color at internodes.—Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 145C.         -   Pubescence.—Glabrous. -   Foliage:     -   -   Arrangement.—Distichous.         -   Dimensions.—22.4 cm long, excluding the sheath, and 2.2 cm             wide.         -   Shape of blade.—Ligulate; moderately to strongly carinate.         -   Aspect.—Moderately to strongly curved.         -   Apex.—Unequal praemorse.         -   Base.—Sheathing.         -   Sheath dimensions.—4.0 cm long and 1.5 cm wide, on average.         -   Sheath color.—Yellow-green, nearest to in between RHS 145B             and 150C.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Pubescence, texture and luster of adaxial surface.—Glabrous,             smooth, and matte.         -   Pubescence, texture and luster of abaxial surface.—Glabrous,             smooth, and matte.         -   Color.—Juvenile foliage, adaxial surface — Green, nearest to             RHS 143A, and darker towards the apex and the margins,             nearest to RHS 137A. Juvenile foliage, abaxial surface —             Green, nearest to RHS 143A, and darker towards the apex and             the margins, nearest to RHS 137A. Mature foliage, adaxial             surface — Green, nearest to RHS NN137A but slightly darker.             Mature foliage, abaxial surface — Yellow-green, nearest to             RHS 147B.         -   Venation.—Parallel.         -   Venation color, adaxial surface.—Green, nearest to RHS             NN137A.         -   Venation color, abaxial surface.—Yellow-green, RHS 144A.         -   Petiole.—No petioles present; leaves sessile. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Inflorescence arrangement.—Axially placed raceme.         -   Natural flowering season.—Autumn into winter.         -   Time to flower.—Approximately 10 months.         -   Flowers per inflorescence.—Average of 15.         -   Flowers per plant.—10 open flowers and 5 flower buds.         -   Inflorescence height.—Approximately 20.8 cm (measured from             base of lowest flower to top of upper flower).         -   Inflorescence diameter.—Approximately 15.8 cm.         -   Peduncle.—Dimensions — Approximately 38.1 cm long and 0.7 cm             wide. Aspect — Generally at a 27.5 degree angle to lateral             branch axis. Strength — Moderately strong. Texture and             luster — Glabrous and slightly glossy. Color — Yellow-green,             nearest to RHS 144A. -   Bud:     -   -   Length.—Average of 2.3 cm.         -   Diameter.—Average horizontal diameter is 1.9 cm; the             vertical diameter is 2.0 cm.         -   Shape.—Cubic, with a deltoid apex which is pointed downward.         -   Pubescence, texture and luster.—Glabrous, smooth and matte.         -   Color.—Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 150D, and suffused with             purple towards the apex, nearest to a combination of RHS             N78A and N78C; flower buds are lightly dotted purple,             nearest to RHS N77B. -   Flower:     -   -   Flower type.—Zygomorphic (orchidaceous), typical shape for             the genus Vanda.         -   Flowering habit.—Moderately free flowering.         -   Shape.—Zygomorphic; single; consisting of three sepals and             three petals, one of which is transformed into a labellum;             the two lateral petals moderately overlap the lateral sepals             and slightly overlap the dorsal sepal; lateral sepals             slightly overlap one another.         -   Aspect.—Flowers are outward-facing to slightly nodding.         -   Vertical height.—Approximately 10.2 cm.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 9.2 cm.         -   Depth.—Approximately 3.4 cm.         -   Fragrance.—No fragrance.         -   Lastingness.—3 weeks, on average.         -   Persistent.—Self-cleaning.         -   Petals.—Quantity of Petals — Three unfused petals; two             conventional petals and one labellum. Arrangement — One             lateral petal on each side. Length — Approximately 4.9 cm.             Width — Approximately 4.4 cm. Shape — Broad obovate. Apex —             Undeeply broad emarginate. Base — Cuneate. Margin — Entire;             moderately undulated. Pubescence, texture and luster of             upper surface — Glabrous, velvety and matte. Pubescence,             texture and luster of lower surface — Glabrous, velvety and             matte. Color when opening, upper surface — Nearest to in             between purple, RHS 76D, and white, RHS N155B, and suffused             with purple towards the apex, nearest to NN78D but slightly             lighter; petal is heavily dotted red-purple, nearest to a             combination of RHS 71A and 72B. Color when opening, lower             surface — Nearest to in between purple, RHS 76D, and white,             RHS N155B, and suffused with purple towards the apex,             nearest to a combination of N80B and N80C. Color when fully             opened, upper surface — Purple, nearest to RHS 77B, and             darker towards the margins and apex, nearest to RHS N78B;             fading lighter towards the base, nearest to RHS 77D; petal             is heavily dotted red-purple, nearest to a combination of             RHS 71A and 72B. Color when fully opened, lower surface —             Purple-violet, nearest to a combination of RHS N80C and             N80D, and darker towards the margins and apex, nearest to             RHS N80A. Fading, upper surface — Not fading. Fading, lower             surface — Not fading. Venation — Densely reticulate.             Venation color, fully opened, upper surface — Purple,             nearest to RHS 77B, and darker towards the margins and apex,             nearest to RHS N78B; fading lighter towards the base,             nearest to RHS 77D; petal is heavily dotted red-purple,             nearest to a combination of RHS 71A and 72B. Venation color,             fully opened, lower surface — Reticulate venation is             purple-violet, nearest to RHS N80B; main vein is purple, RHS             NN78C.         -   Labellum.—Shape — Three-lobed; the shape of the lateral             lobes is obovate, and the aspect is involute; the shape of             the central lobe is broad oblong, and the aspect is strongly             revolute. Length — Central lobe — Approximately 2.2 cm.             Lateral lobes — Approximately 0.9 cm. Width — Central lobe —             Approximately 1.3 cm; 0.9 at the apex. Lateral lobes —             Approximately 0.6 cm. Apex — Central lobe — Deep emarginate.             Lateral lobes — Obtuse. Base — Central lobe — Cuneate.             Lateral lobes — Cuneate. Margin — Central lobe — Entire;             slightly undulated. Lateral lobes — Entire; not undulate.             Texture and luster of upper surface — Central lobe —             Glabrous, velvety, and matte. Lateral lobes — Glabrous,             velvety, and matte. Texture and luster of lower surface —             Central lobe — Glabrous, velvety, and matte with the             exception of the apex which is slightly glossy. Lateral             lobes — Glabrous, velvety, and matte. Color when opening,             upper surface — Central lobe — Pink, nearest to RHS NN74A,             and suffused with red-purple towards the apex, nearest to             RHS 72A; base is suffused with red-purple, nearest to RHS             71A; margins towards the base are purple, nearest to in             between RHS N78C and N78D. Lateral lobes — Nearest to in             between purple, RHS 75D, and white, RHS N155A; radially             striped and suffused with purple, nearest to a combination             of RHS 77A and N78B. Color when opening, lower surface —             Central lobe — Purple, nearest to RHS N78A, and slightly             darker towards the apex, nearest to RHS N78A but darker;             base is suffused with purple, nearest to in between RHS 75C             and 75D. Lateral lobes — Nearest to in between purple, RHS             75D, and white, RHS N155A; radially striped and suffused             with purple, nearest to RHS 77C. Color when fully opened,             upper surface — Central lobe — Red-purple, nearest to RHS             NN74A, and darker towards the apex, nearest to RHS 72A but             slightly darker; base is dark red-purple, nearest to RHS             71A; margins towards the base are purple, nearest to in             between RHS N78C and N78D. Lateral lobes — Nearest to in             between purple, RHS 75D, and white, RHS N155A; radially             striped and suffused with purple, nearest to a combination             of RHS 77A and N78B. Color when fully opened, lower surface             — Central lobe — Purple, nearest to RHS N78A, and slightly             darker towards the apex, nearest to RHS N78A but darker;             base is suffused with purple, nearest to in between RHS 75C             and 75D. Lateral lobes — Nearest to in between purple, RHS             75D, and white, RHS N155A; radially striped and suffused             with purple, nearest to RHS 77C. Fading, upper surface — Not             fading. Fading, lower surface — Not fading. Venation — No             visible venation. Venation color, fully opened, upper             surface — Central lobe — No visible venation. Lateral lobes             — No visible venation. Venation color, fully opened, lower             surface — Central lobe — No visible venation. Lateral lobes             — No visible venation.         -   Callosities.—Dimensions — 1.5 cm long and 0.75 cm wide, on             average. Color — Purple, nearest to RHS N78A; slightly             darker at the apex, nearest to RHS N78A, and fading lighter             towards the base, nearest to RHS 75C.         -   Spurs.—Quantity — Average of 1. Length — Approximately             0.7 cm. Diameter — Approximately 0.4 cm. Vertical height —             Approximately 0.8 cm, at the base. Shape — Short triangular;             flattened. Apex — Bluntly acute. Base — Broad cuneate.             Pubescence, texture and luster — Glabrous, smooth, and             matte. Color — Nearest to in between purple, RHS 75D, and             white, RHS N155A; radially striped and suffused with purple,             nearest to RHS 77C.         -   Sepals.—Quantity — Average of 3 unfused sepals. Arrangement             — One dorsal sepal and two lateral sepals. Length — Dorsal             sepal — Approximately 5.2 cm. Lateral sepals — Approximately             5.2 cm. Width — Dorsal sepal — Approximately 4.3 cm. Lateral             sepals — Approximately 5.0 cm. Shape — Dorsal sepal — Broad             ovate. Lateral sepals — Broad ovate. Apex — Dorsal sepal —             Undeeply emarginate. Lateral sepals — Obtuse. Base — Dorsal             sepal — Cuneate. Lateral sepals — Cuneate. Margin — Dorsal             sepal — Entire; very slightly undulated. Lateral sepals —             Entire; very slightly undulated. Pubescence, texture and             luster, upper surface — Dorsal sepal — Glabrous, velvety,             and matte. Lateral sepals — Glabrous, velvety, and matte.             Pubescence, texture and luster, lower surface — Dorsal sepal             — Glabrous, velvety, and matte. Lateral sepals — Glabrous,             velvety, and matte. Color when opening, upper surface —             Dorsal sepal — Nearest to in between purple, RHS 76D, and             white, RHS N155B, and suffused with purple towards the apex,             nearest to NN78D but slightly darker; sepal is heavily             dotted red-purple, nearest to in between RHS 71A and 72B.             Lateral sepals — White, nearest to in between RHS 76D and             NN155D, and suffused with purple-violet towards the margins,             nearest to RHS N80B; sepals are heavily dotted red-purple,             nearest to RHS 71A. Color when opening, lower surface —             Dorsal sepal — Nearest to in between purple, RHS 76D, and             white, RHS N155B, and suffused with purple towards the apex,             nearest to in between RHS N80B and N80C; veined purple, RHS             N80C. Lateral sepals — Nearest to in between purple, RHS             76D, and white, RHS N155B, and suffused with purple towards             the apex, nearest to in between RHS N80B and N80C; veined             purple, RHS N80C. Color when fully opened, upper surface —             Dorsal sepal — Purple, nearest to RHS 77B, and darker             towards the margins and apex, nearest to RHS N78B; fading             lighter towards the base, nearest to RHS 77D but lighter;             sepal is very heavily dotted red-purple, nearest to a             combination of RHS 71A and 72B. Lateral sepals — Purple,             nearest to RHS 77B, and darker towards the margins and apex,             nearest to in between RHS NN78B and NN78C; fading lighter             towards the base, nearest to RHS 77D but lighter; sepals are             very heavily dotted and blotched red-purple, nearest to a             combination of RHS 71A and 72B. Color when fully opened,             lower surface — Dorsal sepal — Purple, nearest to in between             RHS N75C and N75D, and darker towards the apex, RHS N78B.             Lateral sepals — Purple, nearest to in between RHS N75C and             N75D, and darker towards the apex, RHS N78B. Fading, upper             surface — Not fading. Fading, lower surface — Not fading.             Venation — Densely reticulate. Venation color, fully opened,             upper surface — Dorsal sepal — Purple, nearest to RHS 77B,             and darker towards the margins and apex, nearest to RHS             N78B; fading lighter towards the base, nearest to RHS 77D             but lighter; sepal is very heavily dotted red-purple,             nearest to a combination of RHS 71A and 72B. Lateral sepals             — Purple, nearest to RHS 77B, and darker towards the margins             and apex, nearest to in between RHS NN78B and NN78C; fading             lighter towards the base, nearest to RHS 77D but lighter;             sepal is very heavily dotted red-purple, nearest to a             combination of RHS 71A and 72B. Venation color, fully             opened, lower surface — Dorsal sepal — Purple, nearest to in             between RHS N78C and N78D, and darker towards the apex,             nearest to RHS N78B. Lateral sepals — Purple, nearest to in             between RHS N78C and N78D, and darker towards the apex,             nearest to RHS N78B.         -   Pedicels.—Length — Approximately 5.5 cm. Diameter —             Approximately 0.4 cm. Angle — Approximately 70 degree angle             to peduncle axis. Strength — Moderate. Texture — Glabrous,             axially angled with 5 “ribs”, axially twisted (due to             resupination). Luster — Glossy. Color — Purple, nearest to             in between RHS 75A and 75B.         -   Bract.—Quantity — One bract present at the base of each             pedicel. Shape — Obovate; folded around the base of each             pedicel. Dimensions — Average of 1.8 cm long and 1.3 cm             wide. Apex — Broad obtuse. Base — Broad cuneate. Margins —             Entire. Color, inner surface — Yellow-green, nearest to a             combination of RHS 151B to 151C. Color, outer surface —             Yellow-green, nearest to a combination of RHS 151B to 151C. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Column.—Length — Approximately 0.6 cm. Diameter —             Approximately 0.7 cm. Color — Purple, nearest to RHS 75A.         -   Ovary.—Position — Inferior. Diameter — Approximately 0.5 cm.             Color — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 150C.         -   Pollinia color.—Yellow-orange, nearest to RHS 17B. -   Seed and fruit: No fruit and seed production has been detected to     date.

COMPARISON WITH THE PARENT PLANTS

Plants of the new cultivar ‘SPCDW1608’ differ from the Vanda seed parent, ‘M38BP’ (not patented), by the characteristics described in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Characteristic ‘SPCDW1608’ ‘M38BP’ Plant size. Smaller than ‘M38BP’. Larger than ‘SPCDW1608’. Height of the Taller than ‘M38BP’. Shorter than inflorescence. ‘PCDW1608’. Flower size. Smaller than ‘M38BP’. Larger than ‘SPCDW1608’. General coloration of Lighter pink. Darker pink. the petals and sepals (excluding the overlaid color pattern) when fully opened. Color pattern on the More heavily dotted. Less heavily dotted. petals and sepals.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘SPCDW1608’ differ from the Vanda pollen parent, Vanda ‘M409’ (not patented), by the characteristics described in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Characteristic ‘SPCDW1608’ ‘M409’ Flower size. Larger than ‘M409’. Smaller than ‘SPCDW1608’. General coloration of the Lighter pink. Darker pink. petals and sepals (excluding the overlaid color pattern) when fully opened. Color pattern on the Dots on the petals and Dots on the petals and petals and dorsal sepal. dorsal sepal are more dorsal sepal are less prominent. prominent.

COMPARISON WITH THE MOST SIMILAR VANDA CULTIVAR KNOWN TO THE INVENTOR

Plants of the new cultivar ‘SPCDW1608’ are most similar to the cultivar, Vanda ‘SPCDW1510’ (U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/999,832). A comparison of ‘SPCDW1608’ with Vanda ‘SPCDW1510’ is described in Table 3.

TABLE 3 Characteristic ‘SPCDW1608’ ‘SPCDW1510’ General coloration of the Light pink. Darker pink. petals and sepals (excluding the overlaid color pattern) when fully opened. Color pattern on the Heavily dotted with Moderately dotted petalsm and dorsal dark red-purple. blotched with a lighter sepal. shade of red-purple. Color pattern on the Heavily dotted and Irregularly blotched and lateral sepals. blotched with dark red- tessellated with lighter purple. red-purple. Petal and sepal margins. Less undulated than More undulated than ‘SPCDW1510’. ‘SPCDW1608’. General coloration of the Darker pink. Lighter pink. lateral sepals. Width of the central lobe Wider than Narrower than of the labellum. ‘SPCDW1510’. ‘SPCDW1608’. General coloration of Light purple. Darker purple. the column. 

That which is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Vanda plant named ‘SPCDW1608’, substantially as described and illustrated herein. 